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I am deeply mindful of those who feel pushed to breaking point by this unrelenting drought and the multitude of associated challenges. Many feel their eyes are growing dim as they daily look to the skies (or the weather maps) for some hope as they wait for ‘their turn’ to come. May you gain some small comfort that many people you don’t even know care and are praying for strength into both man and beast until relief comes.

I feel to share some real life keys that I’ve learned – to hang on to in the most hopeless, heartbreaking, challenging seasons of my own life. Seasons are just that – seasons, they come to an end. I pray these keys might help you too.

I remember a time when everything I valued most was being stripped away, my long standing marriage, my property, my beautiful Stud cattle which were an inheritance from my Father. EVERYTHING most dear to my heart! In that place I took a hold of, as a vital necessity, the Biblical principles I’m openly sharing with you. I share these principles with passion because I have tried and tested them in the hardest places. (God of all comfort, all wisdom longs for you to turn to Him that He might show Himself real to you in ways that are meaningful to you right now). Within the pages of the Bible, (God’s handbook for Life) can be found vital, life-giving words of comfort and direction to sustain you through tough times.

Grab hold of it! It’s a lifeline! Hang on to it!

Reading the Book of Psalms will calm you and settle you and bring new hope. Circumstances may not have changed, but God’s SUPERNATURAL PEACE will bring greater clarity of mind and help you to see through ‘fresh eyes’.

When things look really devastating, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! Take time out each day, morning and night, to make a habit of looking at what we have to be grateful for and pondering on these things. I’ve found it changes my outlook. Thoroughly cover everything you can think of! Phillipians 4:8 (Good News version), says it this way, ‘fill your minds with those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and honourable. PUT INTO PRACTICE what you’ve learnt and received both my words and my actions, and God Who gives us peace WILL BE WITH YOU’. You might be focusing on some injustice done to you or a disappointment you can’t get over. Try bringing that person or situation to mind and choose to think on all their good qualities. You might find a considerable list of good qualities you can admire if you take time to give it some thought.

I want to speak directly to those whose marriages have been sorely tested by ongoing hardship. The grass is NOT greener on the other side of the fence! So many couples have realized this only too late and regretted their decision for the rest of their life. The ongoing devastation on families emotionally, financially and in many unseen ways is high cost indeed.

Refuse to let your heart be troubled! Do not permit yourself to be fearful, intimidated or unsettled. Don’t allow it!

By an act of your will, think about the things you can do something about. Say to yourselves, ‘We can’t change the weather but we can organize our day to make progress, to keep going forward. Make a decision to keep doing what we can do something about and DO IT WELL!

Make today count!

I’ve found that to look outwards and find a need and meet it is a powerful key. I wrote this in my last letter but feel to repeat it. Your neighbor might be sorely in need of a friendly phone call, an offer of help, a day’s mustering or a bag of groceries – maybe an offer to pick up something from town. They may or may not have fuel to do that trip. It’s amazing how much a kind word or deed, even a smile can lift the spirits of those around us and let them know they are not alone. I have learned from experience, when we live out of this way of thinking, somehow our troubles don’t seem quite so insurmountable. There comes a warmth of satisfaction on the inside that we’ve made a difference.

Please take time to read this precious little book, Word for Today. Put it somewhere which is in sight and easily accessible – (near the toilet or on the dash of your vehicle). Over 600 of these will be in the mail. I get emails and text messages from so many country people who say ‘something just jumped out at me as I read that changed my day’. It might only be one sentence that is meaningful to you, but you can rest assured God loves you, cares about YOU and that somehow a way will be made where there seems no apparent way.

I pray with passion that good drought breaking rains are imminent, that relief rain falls in the regions that are still waiting. I pray you would experience God’s loving comforting Presence encompass you when you need it most. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you, be gracious unto you and give you peace.

Pastor Liz Howland (formerly Liz Collins of “Wandilla”, Marlborough)
Liz was born into a pioneering Central Queensland rural family.
Her passion is to see our Nation come to the life transforming knowledge of Jesus Christ, to convey the message that God’s life giving Word, (the Bible) is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago, and how to practically apply God’s principles in everyday life.